A Harbinger of Spring
Growing wild, they dot fields, hillsides, and roadsides. Cultivated in flower gardens and lawn borders, these perennials are prized for their resilience to all kinds of weather.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus. The common daffodil.
Also known as jonquils, narcissus, paperwhites, yellow maidens, and Lent lilies.
Whatever you call them, daffodils symbolize hope and new beginnings because their appearance marks the end of the cold, dark days of winter and announces that spring is just around the corner.
Shades of yellow, orange, pink, and white sway and dance in the March breeze and beckon to each passerby with these unspoken words, “Why are you in such a hurry? Stop what you are doing for just one minute and look at my beauty.”
And John and I do stop and look—again and again. And we take photographs of the daffodils in our yard. Some are blossoms from bulbs that we transplanted from Nana Frankie’s yard years ago. (Frankie was John’s mother. She is now in heaven.) Others are beautiful double-blossom daffodils that were a gift from a dear friend, Barbara. (Sadly, she now lives more than 10 hours away.)
We stop and look and remember the people that we love.
The truth is that John and I are not the only ones who enjoy this springtime feast for the eyes.
At the 2023 Florida Christian Writers Conference, I met an author (Reese) who lives on Anderson Island, Washington. She recently shared, “Our whole island is covered with daffodils each spring—it’s spectacular. They’re so cheerful and bright. Anywhere on the island, if you venture outside when they’re blooming, you can’t help but have a goofy smile plastered on your face. God is good.”
Yes, He is—all the time.
The common daffodil.
Common? Hmm. It’s true that daffodils are prolific bloomers and are abundant in early spring. But the emotions and physical responses triggered by this flower—pure delight, fond memories, goofy smiles, happy tears—these are not so common.
Therefore, I humbly suggest a name change for this flower—the uncommon daffodil. Works for me.